Electric switch mechanism



Feb. 27, 1945.

R. P. BALLOU ET AL ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANI SM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1571/5272 are; Richard P552147 u @7 5; 1? 3r Filed July 6, 1942 Feb. 27, 1945- R. P. BALLOU ET AL ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 6, 1942 EZEDE] Feb. 27; 1945. R. P. BALLOU ET AL ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM Filed July 6, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 27, 1945 Daly, Hartford, Conn., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Federal Electric Products Company, Inc., Newark, N. J.

Jersey a corporation of New Application July 6, 1942, Serial No. 449,853

7 Claims. (Cl. 200-163) This invention relates to an electric switch mechanism and more particularly to the means in an electric switch for actuating the movable contact thereof.

One object of the invention is to provide a more durable slide than is now used in the art for carrying one or more movable contacts and in which slide a closed slot is provided for receiving an actuating bail.

Another object of-the invention is to provide mounting means for a slide actuating bail, the mounting means being of'such nature that the bail and the slide or slides mounted thereon may be readily removed from the casing without distortion of either the casing or ball.

A still further object of the invention i t have the bail mounting means of such nature that the bail may be removed from the casing by moving the bail in a direction longitudinally thereof a distance less than the length of the portion of the bail normally disposed between the mounting means.

Other objects and the characteristics of the invention will become apparent from considering the following specification and the drawings 'forming a part thereof.

The accompanying drawings show the embodiment of the invention which is deemed preferable, but it will be understood that the drawings are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose. y In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a. switch embodying the invention, said switchbeing illustrated in close proximity to an adjoining switch which is illustrated fragmentarily.

Fig. 2 is a sectional end elevation taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.' v

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 andshows a detail of the bail mounting means.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation taken on the line 4- 4 of Fig. 1 and shows certain details of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional end elevation similar to Fig. 2 and shows the bail disposed in several positions it assumes during the process of removing the bail and slides from the switch.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation similar to Fig. 3 but shows details of another en'ibodiment of mounting means for one end of the bail.

7 Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation similar to Fig. 4 with'certain parts removed, and shows other details of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary end elevation similar to Fig. '6 but illustrating the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The present invention represents an im rove ment over prior art devices such as illustrated in U. S.- Patents 117543145170 Sachs dated April 15, 1930, and 2,005,686 to 'Sachs, dated June 18, 1935, but it will be understood that, while the inventlon is particularly applicable t switches of the type referred to in the aforementioned patents, it is not necessarily so limited as concerns its broader aspects.

The prior art switches utilize an elongated slide for carrying movable contacts of a bridging nature. Said slides are actuated by a pivoted bail which engages an open ended slot disposed in'the slide. When necessary to replace the slide and/or movable contacts carried thereby, the cap or cover member, or members, of the'switchis removed and the slide can then be readily removed from the switch since the open ended slot inthe slide permits ready operation of the same from the actuating bail.

It has been found that the provision of an open ended slot in said slides has resulted in the breakage of-the slide adjacent the slot due to the weakened condition of the slide after the slot is formed therein. Attempts have been made to strengthen this weakened portion by securing reenforcing members to the slide in the vicinity of the weakened area but even these attempts have not been satisfactory and, from a commercial standpoint, the added reenforcing members have increased the cost of the slides.

The present invention includes a slide having a closed slot whereby portions of the slide disposed at opposite ends of the slot serve to produce-a slide which is superior to not only the open slotted slides illustrated in the above mentioned patents but also superior to the reenforced slides referred to in the foregoing.

By closing the slot however, the ready removability of the slide from the prior art bail is no longer possible. To render the slide readily removable, notwithstanding the closed slot, the present invention provides mounting means for thebail of such nature thatlthe bail may be readily removed from the casing and the slides which are disposed on the bail are simultaneously removed therewith.

Furthermore, the mounting means for the bail which render the bail readily and quickly detachable are also of such nature that the bail may be removed from the casing of a switch which is mounted in close proximity r juxtaposition t a number of other switches.

Such removal of the bail and slides is afforded by the provision of a slot in one side of the easing, adjacent which is mounted a split bearing for pivotally supporting one end of the bail. The other end of the bail is pivotally mounted in a bearing provided in the hub of the bail actuating handle which is pivotally mounted in the other side of the casing.

Referring to the drawings, two embodiments of the invention are shown which are respectively illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5 and 6 through '3. The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 5 includes a casing Ill, preferably formed of sheet metal, and illustrated in Fig. 1 with the ends removed. Upstanding and substantially parallel sides or walls [2 and M are provided on the base or back of the casing. Insulating supporting blocks [6 and I8 are secured to the base of the casing by any suitable means such as screws 20. These blocks respectively carry spaced pairs of stationary contacts 22 and 24 which have upstanding portions adapted to be engaged-byremovable contacts of the switch. The stationary contacts 24 are provided with'suitable terminal screws 26 to which either the line or load conduits or circuit wires may be connected.

Slides 28 formed of insulating material are disposed in the casing for movement with respect to the blocks l6 and 18, said 'blocks'each having guideways 30 provided therein to accommodate.

one side of the slides. A cover or cap plate 32' of insulating material is secured to the blocks [6 and [8 by suitable means such as bolts 34 having nuts '35. The cap plate, on its underside, is

provided'with guideways 36 for suitably controlling the movement of the sides of the slides opposite to those disposed in guideways 30.

Fuse clips are fixed to the top surface of the cap 32 and, when the cap is secured to the blocks lfi'and [8, the fuse clips are electrically con neeted to stationary contacts 22. While not illustrated, the fuse clips are adapted to receive fuses to respectively connect pa rs of spaced stationary contacts 22 in circuit with each other.

Each of the slides 28 are provided with spaced movable contacts 49 which are illustrated as the type which pass through suitable openings provided in the slides and have contact faces disposed on opposite sides of the sl des. As illustrated, the movable contacts 40 are actually bridging contacts. However. inasmuch as the present invention is not limited in its application to any particular type of stationary and movable contacts, the particular form'of contacts shown in the present drawings and set forth in the claims is to be considered illustrative only and not restrictive since it is conceivable that the closed slot slides and the mounting means for the bail, to be described subsequently, may be applied to other types of stationary and movable contacts in switches having movable contacts which are not'of a bridging nature such as illustrated in the present drawings.

For further details of the movable contacts 40 and the manner in which they are mounted in the slides, attention is directed to U. S. Patent 2,168,747 to Christensen dated August 8, 1939.

It will thus be'seen that'current travelling through the present switch enters at terminals 26, and then passes through "the'stationaryconly through the other terminal 26.

tact 24 secured thereto, one of the movable contacts 40 engaged thereby, the engaged stationary contact 22, the fuse, the other stationary contact 22, the other movable contact 40, the stationary contact 24 engaged thereby, and final- Should an overload occur, the fuse will blow to disrupt the circuit. When the switch is opened, the movable contacts 40 are removed from engagement with the stationary contacts 22 and 24 to disrupt the circuit.

Slides 28 are each provided with a bail receiving slot 42 which extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis or dimension of the slides. In order to readily adapt the slides to conventional blocks l6 and it, an ofiset portion 44 is provided on the slide adjacent one end of the slot. It will be seen that the portion 44 gives strength to the side of the slide on which it is formed, whereby the slide is not materially weakened by providing the slot 42 therein. The width of slot 42 is such that a, small amount of clearance is provided between the walls of the slot and the bail, to be described in the follow,- ing, when the bail is disposed in the slot to prevent binding between the bail and slot.

A U-shaped slide actuating bail 46 is pivotally mounted between walls l2 and I4 of the casing of the switch,- the bail having trunnions 48 and 50 provided at opposite ends thereof and offset from the main or central portion of the bail.

The wall. I2 is provided with an opening in the form of a. slot 52 which extends substantially transversely to the length of the wall 12 and is for purposes to be described. The end of the slot 52 adjacent the base of the casing normally accommodates the trunnion 48 of the bail but this does not provide the bearing means for said trunnion in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Wall 12 supports a split bearing 54 having a fixed and main bearing portion 56 comprising an open-sided bearing and a removable portion or member 58 which normally retains trunnion 48 in the open-sided bearing 56. The fixed portion 56 is preferably fixedly secured to the wall by suitable means such as screws Ell. Said fixed portion is also provided with ears which form stops 62 and '63 for limiting the pivotal movement of the bail. The removable portion 58 of the split bearing is detachably secured to the wall [2 by readilyremovable screws 64. It will be observed that the removable portion 58, as well as the fixed portion 56, is disposed on the interior of the casing in the preferred embodiment and the removable portion normally closes the opening formed .by the slot 52 whereby access to the interior of adjoining ends of portions 56 and 58 of the split bearing, the removable portion is provided with a recess 66 which accommodates one end of the fixed portion 56 as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the bail is shown in the."0fi position of the switch and, to insure that the movable contacts of the switch will not be moved accidentally to the on position, a leaf spring 68 is riveted. or otherwise secured at one end to the base of the casing and the opposite end ofthe spring is suitably formed to engage the bail '46 to releasably hold the bail in o position.

The opposite trunnion 5B of the bail is pivotally received in a bearing aperture l0 provided in the pivotal mounting means for the handle 12. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the bear- :2,-'e.-ao, a1i5 7 "spring :aa'ibut, under these conditions theibail ing aperture :does not extend stm'ough its the :ex ter'ior side oi the hub portion M of rtheihandle.

The handle '12 is zpivotdlly mounted in the wall i t of the casing by :means -si milar Fto those illustrated and described :in detail in U. S. liatent 1,986,221 to sachsdated January 1, 1:935. The .es-

sentialelementsof such mounting means will be 7 herein described to :afiord an understanding of the principles thereof but tor .a further description, attention :is directed to'said patent.

iA-b'ealiilg aperture is provided iinwall 14, said aperture having a diameter less than the diameter of the hub 14 of the handle. Said aperture rotatably supports :a filler member :lfiysee Fig. 4, and saidfi ller memberisma'de of .suzfiicient length to project into the interior of the casing sufficiently "to provide a surface lOn which an intermediate member iisrotatablysupported. ED15- -posed against the inner side of filler member J isran operating."member :86 which i -of suflicient length tonormally prevent itheiremovalof the intermediate/member 7:8 from the sfillerimember lfi. Hub 7-4, filler member 1'15, and operating member 80 are secured together by suitable means such .as

bolts 82 provided with conventional :nuts where-1 by said secured members move and iunction under :normal conditions .as .a unit. As is clearly shown in Ei'g. :1, the :bearing preferably .extends'through the filler member 31-6 and operating memberiflfi.

Said intermediate member 18:1 :provided with agplurality-oi inward bent integral' ears B4 and 386 which "are adapted to'engage i'and actuate the iba il as will he presently explained. A lug =88 radially projects from the outer edge of intermediate member 128. Amangular member -91) is 1.pivoted to the wall I 4 :and carries sasleevetz which slidably receives a bar 494 that is pivoted atone end to lug 88. The bar 94 is provided with agpair 101 cars 86. .Ahelical spring 98 is disposedaround sleeve 40.

92 and bar 84 and the'opposite ends of :the spring are respectively disposed against one race of angular member and the ears 95 of bar 94.

Assuming the switch to be in open position,

shown in Fig. .1, when the handle 12 is moved upward, with respect to Fig. 1, the operating member Bil is moved therewith and will engage the ear M. Continued movement-of operating member 80 will move the intermediate member I3 anti-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 4, and, in so doing, will compress the spring :93 until such time as the pivot for the end of bar 84 moves past dead center. Following this, the spring 98 will expand automatically-and quickly move the earBfi of the intermediate member into engagement with the may he slightly'moved :fmm engagement with-the ear 186 due to a small amount @uf :clearance which provided 'i'hefore the :opposite end of the :bail icontac'ts stop (it. Und-er these conditions, the :sli'desarerinclosed position;

When the slides-are in Qpen-position, oneiend of the mall is in :abutting :relation with :stop :62 and the *other end of the :bail :is-engagedibyearr84 of the intermediate member to (oppose the force of thespring 418 as shown :inFig. :1. When it is desired to 'replaceone-or more :of the slides, the removable portion 58 of =.the:split --bearing is removed to-expose therslot .52. The handle is then movedsubstantially to the positionshown in Fig. compressing the spring 8, .and also moving the IeEL-l'v84 to the position shown [in Fig. 4. The bail may then-be manually moveduntil the, 'ofiset portions are substantially in the position shown in Fig. 4, .in which position the onset ,portion adjacent the slot 52 :is substantially parallel thereto and said offset portion may-be raised until it is in position to pass (through the :slot :a short distance in a direction substantially longitudinal of the bail, as :shown in .Fig. 5. The vamountrof such longitudinal movementlneed -.0n1y abesuchas to free the opposite end of the bailfrom the bearwing in the handle mounting means. .following offset portion of the bail. Following this, continued movement of the intermediate member by the spring 98 will move the slide and removable contacts into closed position to establish a circuit through the switch.

When the switch is .on; movementof thehandle in clockwise direction. with respect to Fig. 4, will cause operating member 8.0 to first engage car of the intermediatememberandcontinued movement of the handle will compress the spring 98 until it moves past dead center, following which, the spring will move the car 811 of the intermediate member into engagement with the offset portion of the bail tomove theslide and movable contacts to open position. Stops 1110 and I02 are provided-on the exterior of wall .I 4 to limit the movement of the handie. When the handle is disposed against stop 1130., the ear --:86 .-is disposed :against the a-dg'acent inFigs. 1 through 25 is preferably applicable .to

.which, saidslatter end-ofthe .bail maybefraised to the p osition .-shown in dot ,and dash lines .in ,Eig. simultaneously carrying the slides therewith as also illustrated in dot and dash lines in said ure. Continued movement :of 'thebail andslides upwardland slightly :to-the right,-as viewedlinlFig. 5, will serve to completely remove the bail and slides from the casing.

After the bail :andslioles have been completely removed, any :slide which is to ibereplaced ma-yibe' taken ofl :of the bail and (a new one placed there' on, following which, the bail and slides maybe replaced in the switch in a manner reversed to that .in which they were removed. After the'bail and slides have been placed in proper position in the casing and'iblccks'the .cap 322 maybereplaced switch casing even though the casing is mounted in {close juxtaposition to one or more adjoining switches .as shown particularly in Fi 5. This .is due to the fact that, when removing the bail, .itneed only he moved in a lateral direction through the slot 52 and longitudinally of the bail a relatively short distance which .is sufi'icient to remove the opposite end of the ball from the bearing '10.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated switches havin capacities up to and including about 100 amperes. Switche ihaving capacities in this range employ a ..spring 98 which is substantially weaker than springs provided in .Witcheshaving capacities greater 1:00 amperes'and for example, capacities of 200 to .1200 amperes. The .foregoingcapacities are to beiconsidered asillustrative rather than restrictiveand the division fbetween the ranges given may vary without departing from the spirit of invention.

end of operatlngmember -80 'to oppose the tonne of 15 The embodiment of the invention illustrated in "12 is shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 through8 is primarily designed to use springs which are "considerably stronger than the spring .98 illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5. When removing the bail from the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 5, the handle, as stated above,

is moved substantially to the position shown in Fig. 4, against the force of the spring 98 which strength that it would be difficult; if at all possible, to manually hold the handle I12 in a. position corresponding to that in which the handle Accordingly, somewhat different mounting mechanism is provided for the'bail in the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 through 8 which will now be described with reference to said figures.

Wall H4 of the casing is provided with an obliquely disposed slot I52 that is normally covered by a removable portion I58 of a split bearing which includes a stationary or fixed main portion comprising an open sided bearing I55. Said bearing pivotally supports trunnion I48 of the bail I46. These portions of the bearing are. similarly designed and have function corresponding to portions '55 and 58 of the split bearing shown in Fig. 3. Stops I62 and I63 are also fixed to the wall H4 to limit the movement of (bail I46. A leaf spring I88 has a corresponding function to spring 68.

The opposite end of thebail Hit has a trunnion r50 pivotally supported in a bearing provided in the mounting means for the handle I12,

which bearing is similar to bearing II! of Figs. 1

and 4. An intermediate member I18 is pivotally mounted on means secured to the handle H2 which means are similar to those shown particularly in Fig. 4 for the intermediate member 18.

The intermediate member I18 has a lug I88 which transmits the force of spring its to the intermediate member. Inward directed ears I84 and I88 are formed integrally with, the intermediate member and are adapted to engage the bail I45 at different times during the opening and closing of the switch. The intermediate member is also provided with an additional radially extending' lug I89 which is adapted to abut stop I9I secured to the wall I I6 when the switch is open. Engagement of the lug I89 against the stop I9I arrests the movement of the intermediate member I18 and opposes the force of the spring I98. The ear I84, prior to the co-engagement of lug I89. and stop I91, has engaged the bail I46 during movement of the bail to open position. After the switch has reached open position, the position of the stop IS! on wall I It and stop I62 on wall H4 is such that the bail may be manually moved slightly out of engagement with ear I84 or the intermediate member, just prior to the engagement of the bail with stop I62. In other words, after the movement of the intermediate member I78 has been arrested by stop .ISI, a small amount of play or leeway is afforded the bail I46 between limits of movement fixed by ear I84 and stop IE2. Said play or leeway permits ready manipulation of the bail after the removable portion I58 of the split bearing has been removed whereby the end of the bail having trunnion M8 may be moved in a direction parallel'to the slot N52 to permit moved. However, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 through 8, the spring I93 is of such the adjoining offset portion of the bail to be moved through the slot in a direction substantially longitudinal of the bail, said path of movement being somewhat similar to the arrow shown in Fig. 8. After the bail has been moved through the slot I52 sufiiciently to remove the trunnion I58 from its corresponding bearing, the end of the bail having trunnion I59 may be moved upwardly with respect to Fig. 8, carrying the slides I28 therewith, following which the bail and slides may be completely removed from the casin in a manner similarto that described with respect to Fig. 5.

Inasmuch'as the majority of the elements of the embodiments shown in Figs. 6 through 8 correspond to similar elements in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 5, only sufiicient elements of the former embodiment have been described to render the same understandable. The identity of mostoi the corresponding elements in the two embodiments is obvious and, where certain elements of this second embodiment have not been described in detail attentionis directed to the description of the corresponding elements in the first embodiment.

The essential difference between the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 5 and 6 through 8 "thebail must be moved from its oblique, open" position before it can be removed from the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 5 whereas, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 through 8, the bail may be removed without moving the same from its oblique, open position. In both embodiments, the bail need only be removed through the slot in the wall of the casing a sufficient distance to free the opposite end of the bail from the bearing provided in the mounting means for the handle.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a slide having a closed bail receiving .slot whereby the normal life of the slide will be considerably lengthened and the possibility of breakage of the slide in the vicinity of the slot will be reduced to a minimum. Notwithstanding the fact that the slide is provided with a closed bail from and replaced in the guideways provided for the same by mounting means provided for the bail, said mounting means permitting quick removal of the bail from the casing due to the provision of a slot in the side of the casing and a split bearing having a readily and quickly removable portion which renders the slot accessible for passing the bail therethrough during the removal operation.

In the foregoing and in the claims, the term casing is not to be construed as limited to an enclosure. The construction for mounting the bail would function equally as well if the switch were mounted on an open frame or bracket construction in which side members of some sort were provided with bearings of the type described in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Such a mounting frame or bracket may but need not necessarily be mounted in a protective cabinet enclosing the same. Similarly, the term handle is to be regarded in the broader sense of being an operating member for moving the bail and, while the operating member may be a manually movable means as 1y controllable and such operating means may also bemoved by such means as: an electromagnet,v hydraulic cylinder, or other equivalent power means. Said power means may be: automatically operated.

While the invention has been. illustrated and described its preferred embodiment and has included certain details, it should, be understood. that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways,

falling within the scope of the invention. asv

' claimed.

, What we claim is: v r

1. An electric switch comprising in combinertion, ace-sing, a plurality oil stationary contacts mounted. therein, a movable contact, a slide carrying said movable'contact and; having a closed slot therein, said slide being slidably mounted insaid casing for'moving said movable contact intoand outof contact with said stationary contacts,

bearings: respectively mounted adjacent opposed walls of said casing, an-actuating member-extending between and pivotally mounted adjacent its ends. inv said bearingsrsaid actuating member also passing through said slot in said slide, a

handle pivotally mounted on one: wallof said" casing and operatively connected with said actuating member to pivotally move. the same; said actuating member'being disconnectible: from said handle, and means associated with said casing and one of. said bearings and adapted to permit complete removal of said actuating member from said switch by moving said actuating member in a direction substantially longitudinally of said actuating member a, distance less than the length of the portion of the actuating member normally disposed between said bearingsand without distorting said casing or removing said bearings from said casing.

2. An electric switch comprising in combination, a casing, ,a plurality of stationary contacts mounted therein, a movable contact, a slide carrying said movable contact and removably mounted in said casing for substantially rectilinear reciprocation therein, said slide being provided intermediate the ends thereof with a closed slot, an open-sided bearing and another bearing respectively mounted in juxtaposition to opposed walls of said casing, a member detachably secured in position to close the open side of said bearing, and a bail pivotally mounted in and extending between said bearings and also extending freely through said closed slot of said slide whereby said bail is adapted upon movement to reciprocate said slide and move said movable contact to and from electrical engagement with said stationary contacts, said casing being provided with means adapted to permit after previous removal of said member from its bearing closing position ready and substantially simultaneous removal from said casing of the movable contact and slideand the bail extending therethrough without distortion of said casing and also without removal of said bearings from said casing.

3. An electric switch comprising, in combination, a casing having an elongated opening in one wall thereof, a plurality of stationary contacts mounted in said casing, a movable contact, a slide carrying said movable contact and removably-mounted in said casing for substantially rectilinear reciprocation therein, said slide being provided intermediate the ends thereof with a closed slot, an open-sided bearing and another bearing respectively mounted in juxtaposition to opposedwallsof said casing, a member detachopposed walls, of. said casing,- a member detach ably secured in position to close the open side of saidbea-ring, anda-v bail, pivotally mounted in and extending between said bearings and also extending. freely through said closedslot in said slide whereby said bail is adapted upon. movement to reciprocate said slideand. move said movable contact to and. from electrical engagement with said stationary contacts, said, movable contact and slide and the b'ailextending thereth-rough being readily and. substantially simultaneously removable from said casingby partially moving said. bail one. direction through said elongated opening after. previous removal 0t said member from said open-sided bearing, and then moving said bail the opposite direction through. said elongated opening tolcompletely remove said ball and alsothe movable contact and slide from said casing, without, distortion. of said casing and without removal of-saidz bearings from said casing.

' mountedzin said casing, for substantially rectilinear reciprocation therein, said slide being provided intermediate theend thereof with a closed slot, anopen-sidedbearing, and another bearing respectively mounted. in juxtaposition: to

ably secured position. to close the open side of said bearing and also close the elongated opening when so positioned, and a bail pivotally mounted in and extending between said bearings and also extending freely through said closedslot in said slide whereby said bail is adapted upon movement to reciprocate said slide and move said movable contact to and fromelectricalengagement with said stationary contacts, said movable contact and slide and the bail extending therethrough being readily and substantiall simultaneously removable from said casing by partially moving said bail in one direction through said elongated opening after previous removal of said member from said open-sided bearing and elonated opening and then moving said bail in the opposite direction through said elongated opening to completely remove said bail and also the movable contact and slide from said casing without distortion of said casing and without removal of said bearings from said casing.

5. An electric switch comprising in combination, a casing having an elongated opening in one wall thereof, a plurality of stationary contacts mounted in aid casing, a movable contact, a slide carrying said movable contact and removably mounted in said casing for substantially rectilinear reciprocation therein, said slide being provided intermediate the ends thereof with a closed slot, an open-sided bearin and another bearing respectively mounted in juxtaposition to the inner surfaces of opposed walls of said cassaid bearings and also extending freely through said closed slot in said slide whereby said bail is adapted upon movement to reciprocate said slide and move said movable contact to and from electrical engagement with said stationary contacts, said movable contact and slide and the bail extending therethrough being readily and substantially simultaneously removable from said casing by partially movingsaid bail in one direction through said elongated opening after previous removal of said member from said open-sided bearing and elongated opening and then moving said bail in the opposite direction through said elongated opening to completely remove said bail and also the movable contact and slide from said casing without distortion of said casing and without removal of said bearingsjrom said casing.

'6. An electric switch comprising in combination, a casing having an elongated opening in one wall thereof, a plurality of stationary contacts mounted in said casing, a movable contact; aslide carrying saidmovable contact and removably mounted in said casing for substantially rectilinear reciprocation therein, said slide being provided intermediate the ends thereof with a closed slot, an open-sided bearing mounted injuxtaposition to said elongated opening in said wall, a handle pivotally carried by the wall of the casing opposed to said first mentioned wall, another bearing juxtaposed to said handle, said other bearing being normally non-readilyremovable from said casing-a member normally and detachably secured in-position to close the open side of said bearing and also cover said elongated opening when so positioned, and a bail pivotally mounted in and extending between said bearings and also extending freely through said closed slot of said slide whereby said bail is adapted upon movement to reciprocate said slide and move said movable contact to and from electrical v engagement with said stationary contacts, said movable contact and slide and the bail extending therethrough all being readily and substantially simultaneously removable from said casing by first moving said bail in one direction through said elongated opening a distance less than that between said bearings to free one end of the bail from said other bearing after previous removal of said member from said opensided bearing and elongated opening in the casing wall and then moving said bail in a direction opposite to said first mentioned direction to effect complete removal of the bail and also the slide and movable Contact carried thereby from the casing.

"7. A switch member adapted for rectilinear movement between stationary switch contacts in a switch and comprising in combination, an elongated planar body having a substantially uniform width, a protuberance projecting from one edge of said body and extending along said edge a relatively short distance of the entire length of the body, said body having a closed slot extending therethrough and transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof a distance equal to at least half of said uniform width of th body and located in the area of the body adjacent said protuberance, and a plurality of contact members respectively carried by said body on opposite sides of said slot.

RICHARD P. BALLOU.

DANIEL F. DALY. 

